Understanding βραβεύω (brabeuō) Strong’s G1018: The Divine Arbitration that Brings God’s Peace to Rule in Believers’ Hearts

Pronunciation Guide: bra-byoo’-o (the β is pronounced as ‘b’, the ευ as ‘yoo’)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1018: βραβεύω (brabeuō) refers to the action of ruling, arbitrating, or directing as an umpire or judge in athletic contests. In biblical usage, it conveys the idea of allowing something to govern, preside over, or have decisive influence in one’s life. It carries the nuance of a ruling power that settles disputes and brings harmony where there might otherwise be conflict. The word emphasizes an authoritative mediation that brings order and peace.

Etymology and Morphology

• Verb (present active imperative, 3rd person singular)
• Derived from βραβεύς (brabeus) – an umpire, judge or arbitrator who presided over the ancient Greek games
• Related to βραβεῖον (brabeion, G1017) – the prize awarded by the umpire
• Primary usage in instructional/teaching passages
• Appears exclusively in Colossians in the New Testament

βραβεύω Morphology:

• βραβεύω (present active imperative) – let rule/preside over
• βραβεύει (present active indicative, 3rd person singular) – he/she/it rules/presides over
• βραβεύοντος (present active participle, genitive singular) – of the one who rules/presides
• βραβεύσαι (aorist active infinitive) – to have ruled/presided over
• βραβευέτω (present active imperative, 3rd person singular) – let it rule/preside over (the form used in Colossians 3:15)

Origin & History

The word βραβεύω has its origins in ancient Greek athletic competitions, where the βραβεύς (brabeus) served as an umpire or judge who determined the winners and awarded prizes. Xenophon, in his work “Agesilaus” (13.9), used the term to describe the arbitration of disputes. In Demosthenes’ “Against Meidias” (75), the related noun form appears in the context of judging contests.

In the Septuagint, while βραβεύω itself does not appear, the concept of divine governance and arbitration is present in passages like Wisdom of Solomon 10:12, where divine wisdom is described as the arbiter of contests. The word gained significance in the early Church fathers’ writings, with Clement of Alexandria in his “Stromateis” using it to describe how faith serves as an arbiter in the believer’s life, settling questions of truth and falsehood.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• To act as an umpire, determining winners in contests
• To arbitrate or decide between conflicting parties
• To govern or rule with authority
• To award prizes based on merit in a competition
• To preside over with decisive influence

βραβεύω Translation Options:

• Let rule – Emphasizes the ongoing, present governance aspect, highlighting the continuous influence of peace in believers’ lives
• Arbitrate – Captures the judicial element of settling internal conflicts, particularly apt for contexts involving decision-making
• Umpire – Preserves the athletic contest imagery from which the word derives, emphasizing authoritative oversight
• Preside over – Highlights the position of honor and authority given to that which βραβεύει, appropriate when stressing the preeminence of Christ’s peace

Biblical Usage

The word βραβεύω appears only once in the New Testament, in Colossians 3:15, where Paul instructs believers to “let the peace of Christ βραβευέτω in your hearts.” This singular usage carries significant theological weight, as it occurs in a context where Paul is addressing how believers should live in unity as members of one body. The peace of Christ is to function as the decisive arbitrator in all matters of the heart, settling conflicts and guiding decisions.

Though βραβεύω appears only once, its conceptual framework resonates with other passages where divine governance over believers’ inner life is discussed:

• “And let the peace of Christ rule [βραβευέτω] in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15
• “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27 (conceptually parallel)
• “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (conceptually parallel)
• “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6 (conceptually parallel)

Cultural Insights

In ancient Greek athletic competitions, the βραβεύς (brabeus) held a position of great honor and authority. This official not only determined the winners but also enforced the rules of competition and maintained order. Athletes submitted completely to the brabeus’s decisions—there was no appeal process. When Paul uses this imagery in Colossians, he conveys that the peace of Christ should have similar unquestioned authority in the believer’s heart.

The Isthmian Games near Corinth, which Paul likely witnessed, featured prominent brabeutai (plural of brabeus) who wore distinctive purple robes and carried rods symbolizing their authority. These officials were often former athletes themselves, chosen for their integrity and knowledge of the competitions. By employing this athletic metaphor, Paul was speaking in terms readily understood by his audience in a Greco-Roman culture where athletic competitions were central to social life. For the Colossian believers, this imagery would have immediately conveyed a clear message: just as athletes in the games submitted without question to the brabeus’s rulings, so believers should allow Christ’s peace to make the final determination in all matters of heart and mind.

Theological Significance

Paul’s use of βραβεύω in Colossians 3:15 reveals profound theological truth about God’s intended governance of our inner lives. The peace of Christ is not presented merely as a feeling or emotional state but as an active ruler—a divine arbitrator with authority to settle disputes within the human heart. This indicates that God’s design for His people includes an internal governance structure where His peace presides over conflicting thoughts, emotions, and desires.

This concept complements Paul’s teaching about the indwelling Holy Spirit who guides believers into all truth (John 16:13). The peace of Christ ruling in our hearts represents the practical outworking of Yahweh’s promise in Jeremiah 31:33 to write His law on our hearts. It demonstrates God’s commitment not to rule by external force but through internal transformation. When believers allow Christ’s peace to βραβεύω in their hearts, they experience the reality of the Messiah’s kingdom—not a distant future hope but a present reality within the community of faith and the individual believer’s life.

Personal Application

When we allow the peace of Christ to “brabeuō” in our hearts, we submit our decision-making process to His arbitration. This transforms how we navigate conflicts, make choices, and respond to life’s challenges. In practical terms, it means asking in any situation: “Which option aligns with the peace Christ gives?” or “What decision preserves the unity of the body to which I’ve been called?” The brabeuō concept invites us to stop and consider whether our thoughts, words, and actions are being governed by Christ’s peace or by anxiety, self-interest, or worldly values.

This single word transforms our understanding of peace from a passive emotional state to an active principle that governs our lives. Like athletes in ancient games who accepted the umpire’s decision without dispute, we can learn to recognize and submit to the inner arbitration of Christ’s peace, even when it contradicts our natural inclinations. This practice brings a profound sense of order and harmony not only within ourselves but also in our relationships with others in the body of Christ.

Related Words

• βραβεῖον (brabeion) – the prize awarded by the umpire; used by Paul to describe the heavenly reward for which believers strive. Pronunciation: brab-i’-on. See G1017
• καταβραβεύω (katabrabeuō) – to rule against someone unfairly as an umpire; to defraud of a prize. Pronunciation: kat-ab-rab-yoo’-o. See G2603
• ἡγεμονεύω (hēgemoneuō) – to act as a ruler or governor; differs from βραβεύω in referring to political rather than athletic authority. Pronunciation: hayg-em-on-yoo’-o. See G2230
• κυριεύω (kurieuō) – to be lord over, exercise lordship; more general dominion compared to the specific arbitration of βραβεύω. Pronunciation: koo-ree-yoo’-o. See G2961
• εἰρήνη (eirēnē) – peace; the subject of βραβεύω in Colossians 3:15. Pronunciation: i-ray’-nay. See G1515

Did you Know?

• Did you know that ancient Greek athletic judges (brabeutai) were considered so sacred in their role that assaulting one during the games was punishable by death? This historical context magnifies the significance of Paul’s instruction to let Christ’s peace “brabeuō” in our hearts—he’s assigning it the highest possible authority over our inner lives, a position that should be respected with the utmost reverence.
• Did you know that in the Byzantine period, the term βραβεύω evolved to describe the Emperor’s role in ecclesiastical matters? Byzantine Emperors often served as brabeus in church councils, arbitrating theological disputes. This historical development shows how the concept maintained its connection to authoritative arbitration across centuries, moving from athletic contests to matters of state and faith.
• Did you know that modern Greek still uses forms of βραβεύω in contexts of awarding prizes and honors? The noun βραβείο (vraveío) is used for awards in arts, sciences, and athletics. When Greek organizations present awards today, they’re continuing a linguistic tradition that stretches back to the ancient games and was elevated by Paul to describe the function of Christ’s peace in believers’ hearts.

Remember This

The peace of Christ is not merely an emotion to be felt but an umpire to be followed—when you allow His peace to brabeuō in your heart, you invite the divine Arbitrator to settle every internal conflict according to the perfect standard of the Messiah’s love.